Under the Dragon Throne

Front matter

UNDER THE DRAGON THRONE TUnber tbe TLhvone By L. T. MEADE and fa** ROBERT K. DOUGLAS _a m M _IJ " You can't open a book without learning something." — Chinese Proverb. London Gardner, Darton & Co. Paternoster Buildings CONTENTS RICHARD MAITLAND, CONSUL. CHAP. PAGE I. CONTRARY TO PRECEDENT II. THE BETROTHAL FEAST 3 15 III. IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE ENEMY IV. A TUG-OF-WAR 30 42 A VICTIM OF THE KOLAO-HWUY. 57 I. THE CITY OF WILLOWS II. "TO DISOBEY IS DEATH III. BAD NEWS - 72 85 97 IV. THE TACTAI - MRS. WYNDHAM'S SEASON OF TERROR. I. THE ADVANCE OF THE JAPS - II. THE TAKING OF PORT ARTHUR III. A FALSE FRIEND Ill 129 144 158 IV. THE RESCUE vi Contents TRAPPED BY A CHINAMAN. PAGE CHAP. 179 I. THE FEAST OF LANTERNS 198 II. THE ENGLISH GIRL 214 III. HYACINTH 232 IV. THE TRIAL A DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT. 255 I. THE SACRIFICE 264 II. THE AWAKENING 276 III. A CHINESE MOTHER-IN-LAW 287 IV. THE WAY OUT I RICHARD MAITLAND, CONSUL. RICHARD MAITLAND, CONSUL

Chapter I. Contrary To Precedent

HEN Richard Maitland undertook the duties of Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at the inland port of Chfanyang, in China, he little guessed the strange adventures which would befall him, and the numerous perils to which he would be exposed. He was a man of nearly fifty years of age, a thick-set Englishman from the Midland Counties. In manner he was intensely reserved ; but he had a humorous twinkle in his eyes, and, when thoroughly pleased and interested in anyone, a hearty and kindly manner. He was also largely endowed with tact, an essential quality for a man in his position. In consequence, he was popular with the Chinese dignitaries, and was freely admitted to their various entertainments. But this popularity was destined to come to an abrupt end, and the peace-loving Consul was soon to see the reverse side of the Chinese character.

On a certain sultry morning, when Maitland entered one of his private apartments in the large, roomy Con- "IRicbarb /Tfoaitlano, (lonsul 4 sulate, his valet, George Bryce, who had accompanied his master from England, approached him. He told Mait land that a young Englishman had called to see him on urgent business. "The gentleman brought this letter of introduction," continued Bryce, " and begged me to give it to you, sir, the moment you were at leisure to look at it. This is his visiting-card." Maitland took both letter and card in his hand. When he read the name on the card, he gave a perceptible start : " Mr. James Pennant. Surely not Lady Margaret's son,' he exclaimed half aloud. He eagerly tore open the letter. It ran as follows : "My dear Mr. Maitland, " If my son goes to Ch'anyang (that unpronounce able corner of the earth where you are now buried), I am sure you will do him all the kindness in your power.

He has taken it into his head to visit China, in search, I suppose, of those adventures which fascinate young people in our day. For the sake of our old friendship, I am sure you will give him fatherly counsel if he conies in your way. You know that he is a somewhat important person, at least in his mother s eyes, being an only son. " With kindest regards, " Yours most truly, " Margaret Pennant." When Maitland's quick eyes had devoured this letter, he looked at Bryce. " The young Englishman turns out to be the son of an old friend," he remarked. " Lady Margaret Goningsby is his mother. You remember Lady Margaret as a young lady — eh, Bryce ?" tRtcbaro -TDaftlano, Consul 5 ' Yres, sir, perfectly. Also her marriage to Captain Pennant, and the Captain's death soon afterwards. I told Mr. Pennant that you would most likely be able to see him after tiffin, sir. He said he would call without fail."

" I hope he will do so. I shall be delighted to see his mother's son. Be sure you let me know the moment he arrives." " Yes, sir," replied the servant. A Chinese " boy " entered the room at this moment to announce that tiffin was served, and Maitland strode into his dining-hall and sat down to lunch. He was hungry, for he had gone through a hard morning's work, and while he ate, his thoughts ran on the letter he had received and the many memories it had evoked. Maitland was unmarried. As far as he could tell, he had never wished to marry ; but he knew that, could he have been tempted to forego the charms of liberty for the silken cords of married life, Lady Margaret would have been the girl on whom his choice would have fallen. In the old days, she had always been in his dreams. But fate had ordained her for another, and Maitland did not even know if he regretted it.

He had never lost his interest in her, however, and now he looked forward with keen antici pation to seeing her son. He had scarcely finished lunch before Bryce entered the room to say that Pennant had called. " Tell him that I will see him immediately," said the Consul. He started up in haste, and, hurrying into his large reception-room, held out a hearty hand of greeting to the son of his old friend. " My dear boy, how delightful this is !" he exclaimed. " I am more than pleased at this meeting. I need not say that I will do all in my power to make your visit pleasant while you stay here. Of lRfcbar& _lbattlan&, Consul course, it goes without saying that you will put up at my house. I will send immediately for your traps, if you will tell me where they are." " I am greatly obliged to you, sir," answered Pennant.

The colour mounted to his temples as he spoke. He was a slightly-built, tall young man, with keen gray eyes and a well-set-up figure. But there was a look of anxiety about his face which Maitland perceived the moment he looked at him. " I am greatly obliged," he continued ; " but I am afraid that I cannot — I mean, that I ought to tell you what my business is, before we say anything more about my coming here. It is a great relief to see you. I meant to have called before ; but matters of a peculiar nature have occupied me. I kept my mother's letter by me, and always looked forward to knowing you. Now I am ashamed to say I come to make your acquaintance because I am in dire distress." "Then, you have not just arrived at Ch'anyang ?" " No ; I have been here for several weeks. The fact is, I have called to-day to ask you, Mr. Maitland, to give me your assistance.

As British Consul here, you may be able to afford me some invaluable help. I have been unfortunate enough to get myself into a horrible mess. But can I speak to you alone ? Do any of your servants understand English ?" " Only my valet, Bryce. He knew your mother when she was a girl. Come into my private office, Pennant. If you have anything special to say, we shall be safe there." Maitland led the way to his private room. He motioned his guest to a seat, and sat down opposite him. " Now," he said, " how can I serve you ? YTou can command me not only in my official capacity, but also as an old friend of your mother's." tRlcbarb _lbattlan&, Consul 7 " I have known your name all my life," replied Pennant. " My mother has spoken of you often — in fact, your name is a household word at home." " I am delighted to hear it.

Your mother and I were great friends long ago. But now as to your trouble." Maitland remained seated ; but Pennant sprang up and stood near one of the large windows. The anxiety on his face became more marked. He spoke with a sort of reckless defiance. " There is nothing for it," he said, " but to state the facts of the case as briefly as possible. I have engaged myself secretly to a young Chinese lady who is on the point of marriage with a countryman of her own. Her betrothal takes place to-morrow morning, and as the bridegroom is to leave immediately for Peking, the marriage is to come off in the evening. This I am resolved to prevent at any cost, and I want you to help me." To say that Maitland turned a fiery red is to express but slightly the emotions which overpowered him at this startling communication.

" I wish, with all my heart, that you had come to see me before," he said. "It is a far more serious matter than you have any idea of for an Englishman to attempt to interfere in Chinese matrimonial affairs." " Does that mean that you won't help me ?" said Pennant in agitation. " I did not say so. Won't you take a chair ? We must talk this matter over quietly. It is impossible for me not to feel some astonishment at your most unexpected com munication. Marriages between Chinese and English people are almost unknown, and you will forgive my mentioning, my dear lad, that with your expectations and " Pennant interrupted hastily. "There is no use in tRlcbarsi _fl.aitlano, Consul arguing the matter now," he said. " The thing is done. I am desperately in love with the girl, and have engaged myself with my eyes open."

" I can only repeat that you are undertaking a most risky business," answered Maitland, " and that the matter may become one of life and death. But before we go any further, pray tell me the name of the girl. Who is her father, and how, in the name of fortune, did you get to know her ? Chinese girls are never allowed to be seen out of doors, or in society." " I am well aware of that," said Pennant, with a faint smile. "Nevertheless, contrary to all precedent, I have met this girl ; and the position of affairs at the present moment is as I have stated it. I will tell you my story in as few words as possible. I have always been interested in the Chinese. There has been a sort of mystery about them to me — their lives have been so much a sealed book to us Europeans, that one of my great wishes from my early youth has been to travel in China and to study the ways and customs of this queer people.

I know the language, and can speak it with tolerable fluency. When, therefore, I came to Ch'anyang, instead of putting up at the ' foreign settlement,' I secured rooms in the ' native city.' I was lucky enough to make several friends — amongst them was a Chinese scholar of considerable learning, of the name of Le Ming. He often invited me to visit him in the gardens at the back of his father's house. I was sitting there one evening, when I caught sight of a charming girl passing through the shrubberies ; she glided quickly into a grove of trees, and Le Ming, who noticed that I had observed her, told me that she was his sister, Amethyst.1 Here Maitland rose to his feet. tRtcbard .ibaitlanO, Consul 9 " Merciful heavens !" he exclaimed, " you don't mean to tell me that the girl you intend to marry is Amethyst, the daughter of Le the Prefect ?

My dear Pennant, if this is so, it is my unfortunate duty to tell you that you must banish the idea immediately. Le is one of the most im portant personages in Ch'anyang. If your preposterous idea were even suspected, we should have the whole place about our ears immediately. Besides, this girl is on thc eve of marriage to no less a person than Wang, son of a President of the Board of War at Peking." " Precisely," said Pennant ; " and because of all these things, I am in my present terrible trouble. But may I finish my story ?" " Certainly." Maitland sank again into his chair. He looked hard at Pennant under his shaggy eyebrows. " I must return to that evening," said the young man. " I talked a little longer with Le Ming, and presently went back to my rooms. I was just thinking of going to bed, when a servant entered and told me that a messenger had arrived who wished to see me at once on a matter of urgent business.

Wondering what could possibly be the matter, I desired the person to be admitted. The man withdrew, and a moment later opened the door to admit a female figure, carefully veiled from head to foot. The servant went away and left us alone. The moment this happened, my visitor threw back her veil, and I saw, to my astonishment, that she was a young and very lovely girl. She could not have been more than sixteen years of age. I was utterly thrown off my guard. Even in England, I have never seen such beauty. The fair complexion, the brightness of the eyes, the wonderful pearly whiteness of the teeth, it would be impossible to surpass. But what upset me more than all else was the sad and despairtRtcbar5 -ibattlant), Consul 10 ing expression in the face. ' What can I possibly do for you ?' I said. ' Why have you come to me ?' I approached her side as I spoke.

" ' Your Excellency can help me if you will,' she said. Tears sprang into her eyes. She suddenly went on her knees. ' Oh, forgive my intruding,' she said. ' Yrou would, if you knew my misery. Yrour slave's name is Amethyst. I am the unfortunate and only daughter of Prefect Le. I am so overwhelmed with misery that I can neither eat nor sleep. Will your Excellency deign to glance down at your slave and help her ?' " 'A thousand times, yes,' I answered. ' I will do any thing that man can do for you.' I was completely carried away by her words and her beauty. ' How can I help you ?' I said. " ' Yrour Excellency can save my life,' she replied. ' Let me tell you what my grief is. In an evil moment, my revered elders exchanged my natal characters with those of a man named Wang, who is the son of a President of the Board of War at Peking.

I have never seen him ; but, oh ! if report speaks true, he is cruel, bad, and ugly. On all sides I hear how wicked he is ; and, then, he is old. I loathe the thought of being his wife. I would rather fifty times end my days at once than go through the misery of being united to him ; but as our horoscopes have already been cast with favourable results, I am powerless to prevent the marriage, unless your Excellency will come to my aid. Some evenings ago I heard my brother Ming speak of you. He praised you, and spoke of your learning and your goodness. I determined to see for myself what you were like. I have watched you several times, unseen by you, and have recognised that your face is like that of a god from the palace of the Queen-mother of the West. I IRfcbaro /ibattlano, Consul 1 1 long to serve you, and only ask to be allowed to attend to your wants.

Will you help me ?' " ' I will do anything in my power for you — only tell me how,' I replied. " ' Let me enter your palace, and so escape from Wang. I know that you are good, and that your heart is as clear as crystal. You are still in the spring-time of life, and although you are a stranger from an outside kingdom, I long to be your wife.' She suddenly clasped both my hands in hers, whilst tears streamed from her eyes." " Well," said Maitland, " and what did you do ? What did you say finally to the poor girl ?" " I told her that I would help her. In short, I Y^es, it is true, I fell in love with her at first sight. The idea of such a marriage may seem strange and preposterous to you ; but it did not appear so to me when I looked at her speaking face and listened to her miserable words. Perhaps you do not believe in love at first sight.

I am a proof of the fact. I promised Amethyst to do all that she desired. I told her that I would marry her and take her to England. She left me after a time, and returned to her father's Yamun in the company of her nurse, who had brought her to see me. That happened ten days ago," continued Pennant. " We have met two or three times since then, and all the preliminary arrangements for our elope ment were completed, when this morning the nurse brought me news of to-morrow's terrible programme. I have written to Amethyst, telling her that I will rescue her from Wang at any cost. Now you know the whole story, and what I ask at your hands." "It is a most unfortunate story," said Maitland. "I cannot possibly express to you how much it distresses me. As your mother's son, I would do anything in reason to render TRicbarO /Ibaitlanb, Consul 12 you assistance ; but I am afraid in this matter you expect impossibilities.

Besides, even if I could help you, would your mother thank me for assisting you to bring her back a Chinese daughter-in-law ?" " I cannot say," replied Pennant. " There is little use in going into that matter now. I am past argument. I love Amethyst. She loves me. My honour is at stake. I have promised not to leave a stone unturned to help her. She trusts to me to free her from a fate worse than death. If you cannot do anything for me, I must go elsewhere." Maitland looked deeply annoyed. " This is a very bad business," he said. " Y^ou place me in a most unpleasant position. If I refuse to render you assistance, you will probably do something rash, and find yourself in a Chinese prison before you know where you are. On the other hand, I can only consent to help you at the risk of the peace of the whole English community.

I beg of you, Pennant, to think the matter over carefully before you take any further steps." " Good heavens, sir !" replied Pennant, " have I not thought of it day and night, night and day, since the moment I first saw that unhappy girl ? There is nothing left to reconsider. I ain quite prepared to risk my life, if it comes to that, in the cause of this girl. It occurred to me, in coming to you now, that you might be willing to do a small thing for me — one which can scarcely get you into serious trouble." " My personal trouble is nothing ; but I have others to consider. Pray, tell me what you mean." " Yrou know Le the Prefect ?" " Yes." " You are in all probability going to the betrothal feast to-moiTow ?" IRfcbaro fll.attlano, Consul 13 " I am." " Then, take me with you, Mr. Maitland — that is the favour I ask at your hands.

Get me an invitation. If I go in your company, no one will suspect me of any underhand design." " The thought is sheer madness, Pennant." " Is it ? Well, perhaps I am mad just now. If you will not take me, I can easily get an invitation from Le's son, Ming. But I have a fear, which I trust has no foundation, that Ming suspects something. If he saw me in your company, his suspicions would be lulled to rest at once. May I come with you ? Say ' Yes ' or ' No.' " " I ask you, Pennant," said Maitland, going up to the young man and laying his hand on his shoulders — " I ask you how is it possible for me to say ' Yes ' after the communication you have just made me ? Y'ou want to go in the company of the English Consul to Le's house. You want to share in the festivities of Wang's betrothal, and yet your real object is to steal his bride from under his nose.

How can I possibly say anything but 'No'? It is my first duty, my only duty, to refuse your request." A sudden oath escaped Pennant's white lips. " Perhaps you are right," he said, " from your point of view. Never theless, I had hoped you would see matters in a different light. I ask for nothing at your hands but the protection of your company at a critical moment. Y"ou profess to be my mother's old friend. She told me if I were in any trouble to appeal to you. I find myself in one of the most horrible scrapes that an Englishman ever got into, and yet you are unwilling to put out your little finger to help me. If that is friendship, preserve me from it." "You are upset, my dear fellow, or you would not speak so," said Maitland — his tone changed to one of 1Rfcbar& _ll_aitlano, Consul 14 sudden emotion.

" Believe me," he said, " that for the sake of old times I would give this right hand to help you ; but, to speak plainly, I am without choice in the matter. As Consul here, I am in duty bound to look after the interests of the English residents, and that duty must come even before my regard for your mother and my earnest wish to serve you. As English Consul, I cannot lend my services to anything underhand. Have I made myself plain ?" "Quite," said Pennant — "quite plain. I can trust to your not betraying my confidence ?" he added. " I will say nothing about it, of course ; but my anxiety on your account is very great. Believe me, Pennant, that with or without my help you cannot win this girl — you cannot rescue her from the inevitable fate which she shares in common with most of her countrywomen.

Yrou have no idea what invisible chains and bars surround her." " My honour is at stake ; I have promised at any risk to do all I can for her. I won't keep you any longer, Mr. Maitland. Good-bye." " Good-bye, Pennant. Come to me if I can assist you in any other way." " There is no other way just now." " I cannot induce you to stay with me here ?" " No ; it is safer not. My visit may compromise you. Good-bye."

Chapter II The Betrothal Feast

IHE following morning broke warm and bright ; and before noonMaitland was conveyed toLe'sY^amun, or official residence, in the Consular sedan-chair. Hitherto his duties as Consul had been smooth and harmonious. He was on friendly terms with the native population, and was much liked by all the English residents. But now his interview with Pennant filled him with un easiness, and it was with a heavy heart that he set out for this important festival. Memories of Lady Margaret as she used to be when a girl mingled with his uneasiness with regard to her son's infatuation. In short, Maitland had spent a sleepless night — his anxiety to help Pennant, and his utter inability to be of the least service to him, being the most serious causes of his trouble. " Thank Heaven the mother knows nothing of this !" he said to himself ; " and the unhappy boy will soon be forced to see, by the strength of circumstances, how futile and vain this unfortunate and ridiculous love-affair really is."

Maitland arrived at his destination in good time. The streets were crowded with spectators, and his bearers had some difficulty in forcing their way through the throngs 1f.fcbar& __>attlano, Consul of people who had collected to watch the arrival of the guests and the presents. At the front-door, the English Consul was, according to custom, met by the Prefect, who conducted him, with many bows, into the reception-hall. According to custom, also, the bride herself did not appear ; but the presents which had arrived from the bridegroom were all exhibited in the most conspicuous manner ; and the Prefect took Maitland round to see them, and expatiated on their merits in true Oriental style and metaphor. Each moment the scene became more gay and bustling. Not only were Le's own friends invited to the betrothal feast, but also his son's fellow-students and literary acquaintances.

These individuals had all donned their most brilliant robes, and the bright colouring added to the bizarre and striking effect. The furniture of the many reception-rooms was covered for the occasion with rich hangings, and the walls were hung with scrolls bearing sayings of the sages of antiquity. In addition to the crowds of bridal gifts, priceless curiosities of all kinds were arranged about the rooms ; and numerous servants were seen gliding here and there bearing fresh nuptial presents and attending to the wants of the guests. At the appointed hour, the bridegroom, Wang, was announced, and Le hurried to the front-door to receive him. With much ceremony, this important personao-e was led into the reception-hall, where he bowed low to the other guests, and placed the necessary letter of betrothal in the hands of the Prefect.

Wang's manner was full of a certain exaggerated punctiliousness, which was anything but pleasing. After greeting the native guests, the Prefect brought him up to introduce him to Maitland ; but being tRtcbaro _n_altlano, Consul 17 a Confucian of the Confucianists, he showed his anti foreign proclivities by the coldness of his salutation to the Englishman. The Prefect then invited the bridegroom to enter the dining-hall. According to etiquette, this invitation was twice refused, and only accepted after a third and pressing request had been made. The Prefect then led Wang to the scene of festivities, and the other guests hurried to follow so good an example. The tables in this spacious apartment groaned with every sort of delicacy. Birds' nests from the Polynesian Islands, venison from Mongolia, and preserves from Canton, were amongst the luxuries present.

Every imaginable delicacy was provided to satisfy the most capricious appetites ; and the artistic arrangements of everything, the brilliancy of the colouring, the great width and height of the magnificent rooms, had an effect even upon the most fastidious eyes. Maitland, who was accustomed to being present at many of the most costly and splendid of the Chinese festivities, could not help owning to himself that the lavish preparations for the betrothal of Le's daughter exceeded anything he had yet witnessed in China. As English Consul, he was at once led to the upper end of the dining-hall and provided with a seat of honour. Maitland was remarkable for his tact. He had by this time acquired the manner which is esteemed the perfec tion of politeness in the Celestial Country. He bowed low to the Prefect, therefore, and expressed his astonish ment at the magnificence of the scene on which his eyes rested.

The Prefect deprecated the compliment in the humblest way, and returned Maitland's salute with effusion. tRtcbart) /TDattlano, Consul 18 Wang was magnificently dressed in robes of the finest silk, and wore the insignia of scholarship, which is so dear to the hearts of his countrymen. But no fine robes could cover his personal defects. In appearance he was both old and ugly ; and the mean and sensual expression of his face showed all too plainly, to Maitland's observant eyes, that Pennant had not exaggerated the situation when he spoke of the terrible fate which awaited poor Amethyst as this man's bride. The preliminary ceremonies had just begun, and the band had struck up the merry strains of the Dragon and the Phœnix, when Maitland's eyes were attracted to two men who were coming up the dining-hall side by side.

One of them was a Chinaman in gaily-coloured silk robes, further adorned with the insignia of scholarship. The other was an Englishman in the quiet morning attire of his country. He was of course Pennant. His sober dress and dignified manner immediately attracted all eyes to him ; and Maitland, as he observed him, had to own to himself that he was as attractive-looking a young fellow as he had ever seen. " Confound it !" muttered the Consul under his breath. " How in the world has the luckless lad got in here ? That Chinaman who is with him must, I suppose, be the brother of the bride, the Le Ming of whom he has spoken to me. What a reckless fellow Pennant is ; but what a gentleman he looks ! He is the image of his mother. God help her ! She little knows the danger into which her young hopeful is putting himself.

He has evidently managed to throw dust into Le Ming's eyes; but I see by the lad's expression that he is up to mischief. Ah, he is looking this way. I must recognise him, although, upon my word, I'd rather not. Poor boy ! I can see by tRtcbaro /ibaitlano, Consul 19 the build of his chin that he is as obstinate as a mule. I cannot help admiring his pluck. But what a state of things ! Does a fellow like that imagine that he can upset a state ceremonial of this sort, and carry off a Chinaman's bride from under his very nose ?" Maitland's uneasiness was not at all perceptible in his manner, which was as collected and cool as the occasion demanded. He soon saw that Pennant had no idea of obtruding himself upon his notice. The young man seated himself far down at the same table, and entered into animated conversation with Le Ming and one or two of his friends.